orbiter

orbiter

a space probe designed to orbit a planetary body: The orbiter will land shortly.
Not to be confused with:arbiter – a person empowered to judge or make determinations: She will act as arbiter in the dispute.

or·bit·er

O0108150 (ôr′bĭ-tər)n. One that orbits, especially a spacecraft that orbits a celestial body.

orbiter

(ˈɔːbɪtə) n (Aeronautics) a spacecraft or satellite designed to orbit a planet or other body without landing on it. Compare lander

or•bit•er

(ˈɔr bɪ tər)

n. 1. a space probe designed to orbit a planetary body or moon. 2. the crew- and payload-carrying component of a space shuttle. [1950–55, Amer.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

orbiter - man-made equipment that orbits around the earth or the moonartificial satellite, satelliteastronomy satellite - a satellite equipped with a telescope to observe infrared radiationcommunications satellite - an artificial satellite that relays signals back to earth; moves in a geostationary orbitequipment - an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a servicesolar array, solar battery, solar panel - electrical device consisting of a large array of connected solar cellsballistic capsule, space vehicle, spacecraft - a craft capable of traveling in outer space; technically, a satellite around the sunspace laboratory, space platform, space station - a manned artificial satellite in a fixed orbit designed for scientific researchsputnik - a Russian artificial satellite; "Sputnik was the first man-made satellite to orbit the earth"spy satellite - a satellite with sensors to detect nuclear explosionsmeteorological satellite, weather satellite - a satellite that transmits frequent picture of the earth below

Translations

orbiteur